Can we find unity in diversity? A qualitative synthesis of osteopaths’ conceptions of practice.
Item
- Title
- Can we find unity in diversity? A qualitative synthesis of osteopaths’ conceptions of practice.
- Author(s)
- Ziskoven, A
- Abstract
- Background: There is an apparent disunity within the osteopathic profession, in which there is a variety of views on aspects of practice. This raises questions around identity within the osteopathic profession. There is a perception that there is little synthesised knowledge on how osteopaths conceive the nature of practice and how it affects clinical reasoning. This study aims to contribute to a unified conceptual model of qualitative research in osteopathy. Objective: This study sought to explore and synthesise qualitative studies exploring views, attitudes and beliefs of osteopaths about their profession, therapeutic approaches, clinical reasoning and decision-making. Design: Qualitative synthesis within the interpretive/constructivist paradigm. Methods: An international structured literature search in Science Direct and PubMed identified qualitative studies of osteopaths’ views, attitudes and/or beliefs about the profession, professional identity, and/or clinical decision-making. Abstracted data were coded thematically and synthesised using a meta-synthesis approach. Results: 7 papers were included describing 4 studies. 3 high quality themes emerged from the data: 1) Conceptions of practice, 2) Professional identity and 3) Clinical reasoning. Subthemes described views relating to the basis of knowledge, place within healthcare, therapeutic role, clinical reasoning strategies and patient involvement. Interpretation of the themes and the varying views within them yielded a conceptual model in the form of a keystone analogy exploring the possibility of unity in diversity. Discussion: The disunity within the profession apparent in this synthesis is consistent with the wider literature in osteopathy and other health care professions. In order for the differences, which exist simultaneously, to function in the best interest of the patient, there is a need for collaboration in the form of research, open debate and dialogue, in order to investigate relationships between all parts: the common ground. This requires contemporary thinking, criticality and reflexivity, as part of a paradigm shift. Conclusion: Interpretation of the findings in these studies and wider literature indicates tension and identity crises as a result of difficulties embracing the diversity in views and approaches on numerous aspects of practice. Contemporary thinking in research and communication are necessary to find a common ground and move closer towards true patient-centred care.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2019
- Date Submitted
- 19.11.2019 18:31:10
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 16521
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- Osteopathy, Patient-Centred Care, Professional knowledge, Qualitative Methods
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Ziskoven, A, “Can we find unity in diversity? A qualitative synthesis of osteopaths’ conceptions of practice.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed April 23, 2025, https://library.wso.at/s/orw/item/226